Safety Matters

The Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and the Department of Labour and Advanced Education, along with our partners at the Fisheries Safety Association of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council continue to advance the message of fishing safety in communities across Nova Scotia. 

Last month a team attended the 11th Annual Wedgeport Tuna Tournament not only to talk about safety and promote personal floatation device (PFD) use, but also to demonstrate the importance of having an emergency plan in a man-overboard situation.

WCB CEO Stuart MacLean spoke with the participating captains prior to the Tuna Tournament send-off and, just before the boats headed out from the Wedgeport Breakwater Wharf, hundreds of fishermen, family and community members gathered to watch a local fishing crew participate in a safety demonstration, or “Man Overboard Drill,” led by instructor Joe Grandy from the Nova Scotia Community College.

Tina Comeau with The Yarmouth Vanguard captured some great video and photos of the event, which you can find on their website here.  

Throughout the fall, more Man Overboard Drills will be held on wharves in fishing communities across the province, while the broader work with industry and stakeholders – the Safe at Sea Alliance – to develop an industry-led Fishing Safety Action Plan continues.